A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge of Adolescents regarding Obesity as a Predisposing Factor for Cardiovascular Diseases with A View to Develop an Educational Pamphlet in selected Urban Areas of Tumkur

Ms. Sneha R. Dubey*

M.Sc Nursing (Community Health Nursing), Shridevi College of Nursing, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: dubeysneha176@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

Background: A famous ancient proverb states; “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like an ordinary person, and your dinner like a beggar”. These words of wisdom have long been discarded. Modern life has brought with it more food with high caloric density and better taste. New technology and modern life style has made life easier and less active and the result is a worldwide epidemic of obesity and its associated disorders. Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in children, adolescents, adults and authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Obesity is stigmatized in much of the modern world (particularly in the western world), though it was widely perceived as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history and still is in some parts of the world. Body mass index (BMI), a measurement which compares weight and height, defines people as overweight (pre obese) if there is between 25kg/m2 and 30kg/m2, and obese when itis greater than 30kg/m22. Objectives: 1. To assess the knowledge of adolescents regarding obesity as predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases. 2. To determine the association between the knowledge of adolescents regarding obesity as predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases with the selected demographic variables. 3. To develop and distribute educational pamphlets to adolescents. Methology: The research design which is used to achieve objectives of this study is nonexperimental, Descriptive Design. The population was Adolescents from urban areas of Tumkur. The sample consists of 100 Adolescents from selected urban areas of Tumkur. Adolescents were selected by simple random sampling. The data was collected from Adolescents using a structured questionnaire for knowledge. The data obtained was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The study findings revealed that the knowledge of adolescents was determined with mean of 26.31, SD 3.367 and mean score percentage was observed as 58.48%. The data proved that the knowledge of adolescents regarding obesity as the predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases is moderate (66%). The chi-square test showed a significant (P < 0.05) association between knowledge and age, gender, educational status, medium of educational background, history of obesity, area of residence and family income. Conclusion: In the above findings of the present study, it is found that the knowledge levels of adolescents was moderate, the adolescents would undergo an educational and training programme for the improvement of knowledge of regarding obesity as the predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases.

KEYWORDS: Obesity, cardiovascular diseases, Knowledge and simple random sampling.

BACKGROUND OF STUDY:

Obesity is defined by body mass index (BMI) and further evaluated in terms of fat distribution via the waist hip ratio and total cardiovascular risk factors. BMI is closely related to both percentage body fat and total body fat. BMI is calculated by dividing the subject’s mass by the square of his or her height, typically expressed either in metric or US customary units; Metric: BMI=kilograms/metres. US customary and imperial: BMI=lb*703/in2, where lb is the subject’s weight in pounds and in is the subject’s height in inches.

The prevalence as well as the severity of obesity in adolescents is increasing at an alarming rate, making it one of the most serious health problems affecting this age group. According to data from the National health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES, 1999-2000) approximately 30% of adolescents are at risk for overweight (≥85th percentile but <95th percentile) and 14% of these are severely overweight or obese (≥95^th percentile). Although all racial and socioeconomic groups are affected, higher rates were noted in African American females and American Indian and Hispanic youth of both genders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The research design which is used to achieve objectives of this study is nonexperimental, Descriptive Design. The population was Adolescents from urban areas of Tumkur. The sample consists of 100 Adolescents from selected urban areas of Tumkur. Adolescents were selected by simple random sampling. The data was collected from Adolescents using a structured questionnaire for knowledge. The data obtained was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. interview schedule for demographic data was assessed for 5 minutes, followed by which non observational questionnaire was administered for 40 minutes to assess the adolescents regarding obesity as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases. Duration of study is 4 weeks. Processing of the data. Data collected was processed on same day of data collection.

RESULT:

Highest percentage (58%) of the subjects was in the age group of 16-17 years. Majority (57%) of samples were males. Majority 88% had educational background of PUC. Majority 77% of subjects were studying in English medium. Majority 45% of the parents had higher secondary education. Majority 66 of subjects belong to Hindu. Majority 63% of the subjects did not have history of obesity. Only 23% subject’s had family history of cardiovascular diseases

Table 1: Knowledge of adolescents regarding the obesity as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases

	Knowledge Level	Frequency	%
A	Inadequate knowledge	26	26.0%
B	Moderate knowledge	60	60.0%
C	Adequate knowledge	14	14.0%
	Total	100	100%

majority 60% of the subjects had moderate knowledge, 26% had inadequate knowledge and only 14% had adequate knowledge regarding the obesity as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Graph 1: Knowledge Level

The mean percentage of knowledge score was 58.48% with the standard deviation of 3.367 indicates moderate knowledge regarding obesity as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Table 2: Knowledge Score of Adolesecents

Sr. No.	Domain	Mean	S.D	Mean %
1.	Knowledge regarding obesity and cardiovascular disease	26.31	3.367	58.48%

Table 3: Association of Knowledge with Demographic Variables

Demographic variables	χ2 value		Inference
Demographic variables	Calculated value	Table	Inference
Age	20.357	5.99	Significant
Gender	16.399	3.84	Significant
Education baground	16.651	5.99	Significant
Medium of educational background	29.162	3.84	Significant
Religion	5.711	5.99	Significant
History of obesity	3.877	3.84	Significant
Family history of cardiovascular disease	0.042	3.84	Significant

χ2 value computed between the knowledge level of Adolescents on the obesity as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases and selected demographic variables. Variables such as age, gender, educational background, medium of educational status, history of obesity, area of residence and family income were significant at 0.05 levels. Thus, it can be inferred that there is significant association between knowledge level of the adolescents regarding the obesity as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases and selected variables. Therefore, the hypothesis stated there will be significant association between knowledge of Adolescents regarding the obesity as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases and selected demographic variables is accepted.

DISCUSSION:

The study findings revealed that the knowledge of adolescents was determined with mean of 26.31, SD 3.367 and mean score percentage was observed as 58.48%. The data proved that the knowledge of adolescents regarding obesity as the predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases is moderate (66%). The chi-square test showed a significant (P < 0.05) association between knowledge and age, gender, educational status, medium of educational background, history of obesity, area of residence and family income

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I extend my sincere thanks to all adolescent for their whole hearted co-operation during the time of data collection. Last but not the least we would like to extend our honest gratitude to our parents, brothers, sister, relatives and friends for their prayers, unending love and continuous encouragement.

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